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2019 Legislature

When oil and gas companies go unregulated, people die and families are dislocated

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A month ago ProgressNow New Mexico published a blog about SB 186, a bill that would equip the Oil Conservation Division (OCD) with actual enforcement and punitive powers to enforce state regulations on oil and gas operators in the state. In that piece we highlighted how over the last decade the oil and gas industry has caused literally THOUSANDS of infractions but because of a legal loophole, OCD has not been able to fine those companies, leaving those companies with little motivation to adhere to the law. This isn’t just an academic issue. This is a real problem with real consequences for New Mexicans.  Today we want to look at some specific examples of where major failings have happened around the state that affected New Mexicans’ lives and where, if OCD were able to hold these companies accountable, disasters like this could be avoided.

Uncategorized

Nationally funded group hires local GOP spokesperson to try and greenwash the energy debate in NM

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It’s late spring in New Mexico and everything is sprouting, even new dark money funded pro energy groups. One called “Power the Future” just cropped up and hired a recycled Susana Martinez political operative as their New Mexico lead in an attempt to hide their east coast home base. But don’t worry, we have pulled the weeds on this one to show you where their roots and branches really lead. It’s not pretty. The oil and gas industry and the heavily funded political arms they control are springing forward with aggression and are using this time in New Mexico to try and stir the pot and sow seeds of discord when it comes to the huge progress we’ve made by passing the Energy Transition Act, moving toward stronger statewide oil and gas regulations and other efforts to promote a cleaner energy future under Governor Lujan Grisham.

Federal Issues

Immigration Is A Reproductive Justice Issue

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Last summer, it was exposed to the world that the United States of America is still up to its racist shenanigans- putting a group of people who are not white into what is essentially a concentration camp. We did it to the Japanese, we exploited Black people for free labor then decided to skirt Emancipation by implementing the 13th Amendment, and we did it to Indigenous people through forced relocation to exploit natural resources. Immigration is a reproductive justice issue. Parents deserve to raise their families in safe communities with the resources to take care of their families. People who decide to carry their pregnancy to term deserve access to quality, nondiscriminatory prenatal care and to give birth in a safe environment.

2019 Legislature

#NMLEG WRAP UP

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This year’s legislative session was a really intense roller coaster, to say the least, and we all took some time to rest and reflect together on why we do this important political work. ProgressNow New Mexico’s coverage hardly scratched the surface and I want to take a moment to fill you in. I will also give you some tips on how you can help fight back against dangerous rhetoric! Reproductive Health

Anti-abortion extremists were in full force, spreading misinformation and only harassing an Indigenous and queer person (me) over House Bill 51, not including legislators and their families. They regularly use tactics like harassing and stalking to intimidate activists, medical providers, and patients so this is just one of their many tactics.

SINE DIE- NM LEG EDITION

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Sine die is upon us. It’s a fancy way of saying the end of the 2019 Legislative Session is almost here. In the last five days of the session, there are still a lot of bills that have not had a hearing in one chamber or in the next committee. Let’s break it down for you:

HB 51- Keep Abortion Safe and Legal

The repeal of a pre- Roe v. Wade law that would criminalize healthcare providers and patients seeking abortions passed Senate Judiciary on Monday and is on the Senate Floor calendar. We must tell the Senate to prioritize healthcare!

Uncategorized

Women’s History Month- NM Edition

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Every week this month, we will highlight a few women across New Mexico who kick ass, take names, and show up for their communities! This week, we want to highlight Congresswoman Debra Haaland and Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-28)! Check out our landing page for Women of New Mexico! Congresswoman Deb Haaland is one of two Native American women ever elected to Congress. She is the daughter of veterans and raised her daughter as a single mother.

2019 Legislature

Abortion Is Healthcare

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Last night, HB 600, the Women’s “Health and Safety” Act, and HB 608, “Allow Refusal to Admit Patients For Abortion”, AKA “Let Doctors DISCRIMINATE Against Patients Seeking Routine Healthcare Procedures”, were both heard in House Consumer and Public Affairs. There was so much misinformation, vitriol, and microaggressive behavior, we don’t really know where to begin. For starters, I, Rachael Lorenzo, testified against HB 608 about my experience being denied care. It is despicable that any person must disclose traumatic medical history before the world to speak up against or for bills. My experience with being denied life-saving abortion care in an emergency setting while actively miscarrying at a New Mexico hospital could have left my daughter without a parent.

2019 Legislature

*URGENT* Don’t let education access be limited by age in New Mexico!

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We just sent this email out to all our members. Please follow the links below and contact your legislator NOW! Dear Friend,

Today, a major piece of education legislation is being heard at the Roundhouse. HB 5 and companion bill SB 1, aim to make sweeping changes to the way public education is funding in New Mexico. These bills make significant strides toward improving our public education system particularly after years of our schools being neglected by those in power.

2019 Legislature

URGENT ACTION NEEDED- Permanently Protect Access to Abortion in NM

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Yesterday, Representative Rod Montoya (R) presented HB 600- the “Women’s Health & Safety” Act- in the House Consumer and Public Affairs (HCPAC). Let’s be real- this is a nefarious move to limit access for women and young people when seeking reproductive healthcare. We heard a lot of really untrue, dangerous, and frankly, violent, rhetoric that we won’t justify here. What we will do is share the testimony of real, New Mexico families building trust and communication together and from providers who trust their patients to be active participants in their own care. Check out these tweets and Instagram stories of coverage from folks who respect New Mexico families’ private health decisions.

2019 Legislature

One step closer to real energy independence​ in New Mexico

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SB 489, the Energy Transition Act cleared its first hurdle this past Saturday as it passed out of the Senate Conservation Committee 5-3. ProgressNow New Mexico joins our robust coalition of statewide partners in thanking the committee for making this a priority for the state NOW and for the future of New Mexico. However, almost immediately after the bill passed from the committee, detractors of the bill continued to blanket media space with renewed attacks about this important legislation.  New Energy Economy sent out another misleading email about this landmark bill. NEE stated, “SB 489 does NOT close the plant.

Featured

When oil and gas companies go unregulated, people die and families are dislocated

By |

A month ago ProgressNow New Mexico published a blog about SB 186, a bill that would equip the Oil Conservation Division (OCD) with actual enforcement and punitive powers to enforce state regulations on oil and gas operators in the state. In that piece we highlighted how over the last decade the oil and gas industry has caused literally THOUSANDS of infractions but because of a legal loophole, OCD has not been able to fine those companies, leaving those companies with little motivation to adhere to the law.